Serving a full-time mission is an important responsibility for priesthood holders—one that all priesthood holders should prepare for—and a wonderful opportunity for young women. Yet even after being diligent about that preparation, not everyone may be able to complete a full-time proselyting mission due to medical or other reasons.
Scripture: Mosiah 2:17
Hymn: Called to Serve Him #249
Lesson: Church-Service Missions: Real Service, Real Sacrifice
Treat: Caramel Brownies and Sugar Cookies With Butter Cream Frosting
Activity: Junk in the Trunk or Oreo Challenge
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Lesson

*For Younger Children*Read or share Selfless Serviceand discuss how selfless service in the story benefited others, and what can you do to give service to someone else?

The young people of a certain ward had worked to earn the large sum of money needed to go on an adventure trip. I had had some acquaintance with their bishop. He called and asked if I would help him get some news publicity so that these young people would be recognized for the fine things they were doing.

I said that I would not help him. He was surprised and asked why. I answered that although it was commendable that the young people had worked hard to earn this money, some things are interesting while other things are important, and that there might be a higher purpose for the funds they had obtained.

I explained that my ministry takes me into countries where the people are less privileged than where he lives. I explained that the amount of money these fine young people had earned would keep several missionaries from these areas in the field for their entire missions.

He said, “Are you asking me to have these young people donate their funds to the general missionary fund of the Church?”

I said, “No, I have not asked you to do that. I have just said that there are finer things to do.” I explained that I was not against the kind of project they were planning but that there must be a balance, and, by comparison, some things are interesting while other things are important.

Later the bishop said that he had talked to the young people and that they wanted to sacrifice their adventure trip and donate all the money to the general missionary fund. He asked if they could bring the check and have their picture taken with me as they made the donation and if they could have the picture and an article put into the news.

I said no. Then I said, “You might consider helping your young people learn a higher law of recognition. Let them feel the joy and gain the treasure in their heart and soul that come from silent, selfless service.”

Selfless service projects are the projects of the gospel. They are not one-time special events based on fun and games or the getting of public praise. The reward for doing selfless projects is a nearness to divinity, a worthiness for the companionship of the Spirit.

Serving a full-time mission is an important responsibility for priesthood holders—one that all priesthood holders should prepare for—and a wonderful opportunity for young women. Yet even after being diligent about that preparation, not everyone may be able to complete a full-time proselyting mission due to medical or other reasons.

If you’re unable to complete a full-time proselyting mission but are still worthy and willing to serve, there’s good news for you: you can fulfill the call to serve by becoming a young Church-service missionary.

Serving at Home

Church-service missions offer a variety of service opportunities that are tailored to fit the specific needs and abilities of each missionary. Almost all young Church-service missionaries live at home and serve locally in some of the following ways:

• Facilities: helping with building and landscape maintenance and repair

• Seminaries, institutes, and mission offices: working in an office, at a reception desk, or with computer support

• Family history: indexing and providing patron support, document preservation, and system support

If you want to serve but don’t live within reasonable commuting distance of one of these opportunities, then your bishop and stake president may help you arrange to give extended service within your community at places like libraries, senior centers, food banks, and hospitals. In rare cases, you can serve away from home while temporarily living with a grandparent, step-parent, aunt and uncle, or sibling who lives near a Church operation.

Getting Started

If you’d like to learn more about becoming a Church-service missionary, consider these steps:

• Talk with your local priesthood leader, or email YCSM@ldschurch.orgfor more information.

• Prayerfully consider assignments to determine one that is consistent with your time, abilities, and health.

• Meet with your bishop or branch president to discuss your decision and start the Church-service missionary application process.

To watch a video about a Church-service missionary, visitlds.org/go/03YCSM and select “Opportunities for Young Adults.”

Building the Kingdom

“Men and women of mission age who are unable to serve a proselyting mission can counsel with parents and leaders to consider options for a service mission. While service missions vary in terms of assignment and length depending on the missionary’s abilities, they involve real work, real service, and real sacrifice that make a difference in building the kingdom of God on earth.”

Elder Adrián Ochoa of the Seventy, “Ye Are the Light of the World,” Ensign,Sept. 2012, 30.

“On the Team”

“We … recognize that there are some who have hoped all their lives to serve missions, but for health reasons or other impediments beyond their control, they cannot do so. We publicly and proudly salute this group. We know of your desires, and we applaud your devotion. You have our love and our admiration. You are ‘on the team’ and you always will be, even as you are honorably excused from full-time service.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “We Are All Enlisted,” Ensign, Nov. 2011, 46.

Advice from a Church-Service Missionary

By Elder Teague Chubak

Elder Teague Chubak lives in Utah, USA.

I grew up in the Church, and my parents did their best to provide me with the things I needed to gain a strong testimony, such as learning how to pray and how to study the Book of Mormon and Church magazines. When I was close to missionary age, it wasn’t a question of if I would go—it was only a question of when. So when the news came from my bishop that I did not meet the medical requirements to serve a full-time mission, I was heartbroken.

Often I prayed asking why I could not fulfill my desire to be a missionary. My loving mother would remind me that a service mission was still an option, but my reply was always, “That doesn’t count.” The months went by, and even though I was old enough to serve, I remained at home. Each day, the plea “every member a missionary” rang through my mind until I eventually decided to look into a Church-service mission.

I browsed through the options and came across one that stood out to me. Through prayer I received the firm approval of the Spirit. When I talked with my bishop about it, he told me that the Lord had saved me for this Church-service mission rather than a full-time proselyting mission. I must admit that I agree with him now. The experiences and blessings surpass anything I could ever have imagined.

Soon I will complete my Church-service mission, and I want the youth of the Church to know that a mission changes lives, even if it’s a Church-service mission. If a health problem or other situation keeps you from entering the full-time mission field, it does not mean the Lord does not want your service. It just means that He needs you somewhere else.

In a large bowl, mix together butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; gradually stir flour mixture into butter mixture until well blended using a sturdy spoon. Chill dough for 2 hours.

Activity

Junk in the Trunk ~ minute game

The challenge was to tie an empty Kleenex box around your waist and fill your “trunk” with 8 ping-pong balls. Wiggle, wiggle and wiggle some more until the box is empty. I still love listening to the kids chant…”you have a minute to win it in 3, 2, 1 go!”

Kleenex box

Belt

Duct tape

8 ping pong balls

Our “Junk in the Trunk” box was simply constructed. We emptied out all the Kleenexes and removed the plastic window from the box. Chuck cut slits on each side of the box large enough to slip a canvas belt through. The corners were reinforced with duct tape.

How to Play:

The player puts on the belt and box contraption, making sure that the box is resting just above their backside. Place all 8 ping pong balls in the box. When the one-minute timer begins, jump, wiggle and shake trying to remove all eight of the balls out of the box. Complete the task before the timer runs out.

I loved watching everyone’s different “wiggle” style. The quickest finish was 4 seconds! Now that’s some serious wiggling!

Oreo Challenge – Minute game

Take a bag of Oreo’s and have every one put one Oreo on their forehead. While not letting the Oreo off your face do whatever you have to to slowly move the Oreo down to your mouth without touching it. The object of the game is to have the first person to eat their Oreo wins.

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About Aleah Ingram

Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a social media manager, writer, and editor. Aleah served a mission in California and is addicted to organic milk, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.